Free device placement for wireless charging

• US 9,658,670 B1
• Filed: 01/13/2016
• Issued: 05/23/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 01/13/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Dell Products LP (Dell Technologies Inc.)
• Inventors: Sultenfuss, Andrew Thomas, Ramakrishnan, Vijay Thyagarajan
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, Vincent
• Application Number:
  US14/995,033
• Time in Patent Office: 496 Days
• Field of Search: 713340
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/263 Arrangements for using multiple switchable power supplies, e.g. battery and AC G06F1/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/266 Arrangements to supply power to external peripherals either directly from the computer or under computer control, e.g. supply of power through the communication port, computer controlled power-strips
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/28 Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/10 using inductive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/90 involving detection or optimisation of position, e.g. alignment
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0029 with safety or protection devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0042 characterised by the mechanical construction
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/0047 with monitoring or indicating devices or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/02 for charging batteries from ac mains by converters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

Systems and methods for free device placement for wireless charging are described. In some embodiments, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to: determine that the IHS is placed in a position on a wireless charging pad such that the wireless charging pad cannot provide power to the IHS above a minimum threshold value; request that the wireless charging pad provide fringe power to IHS without repositioning the IHS on the wireless charging pad, wherein the fringe power is smaller than the minimum threshold power level; and use the fringe power to indicate a problem or error to a user.

Claims

1. An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:

a processor; and

a memory coupled to the processor, the memory having program instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by the processor, cause the IHS to;

determine that the IHS is placed in a position on a wireless charging pad such that the wireless charging pad cannot provide power to the IHS above a minimum threshold value;

request that the wireless charging pad provide fringe power to IHS without repositioning the IHS on the wireless charging pad, wherein the fringe power is smaller than the minimum threshold power level; and

use the fringe power to indicate a problem or error to a user.

2. The IHS of claim 1, wherein in the absence of the request, the wireless charging pad provides no power to the IHS.

3. The IHS of claim 1, further comprising a battery coupled to the processor and to the memory, wherein the battery is configured to be charged by the wireless charging pad, and wherein the battery does not have sufficient energy stored therein to enable to IHS to indicate the problem or error to the user.

4. The IHS of claim 1, wherein determining that the wireless charging pad cannot provide power to the IHS above a minimum threshold value includes identifying a first amount of power output by the wireless charging pad, identifying a second amount of power received by the IHS, and determining that a ratio between the second and first amounts of power is under a minimum value.

5. The IHS of claim 1, wherein requesting that the wireless charging pad continue to provide fringe power to IHS includes requesting that the wireless charging pad provide its maximum amount of available power to the IHS.

6. The IHS of claim 1, wherein using the fringe power includes lighting up a discrete visual indicator on the IHS that identifies a type of the problem or error to the user.

7. The IHS of claim 1, wherein using the fringe power includes making a sound by the IHS that identifies a type of the problem or error to the user.

8. The IHS of claim 7, wherein the problem or error includes a display error.

9. The IHS of claim 7, wherein the problem or error includes a battery error.

10. The IHS of claim 7, wherein the indication of the problem or error includes an indication that the IHS be repositioning on the wireless charging pad.

11. A wireless power adaptor, comprising:

a power source; and

a wireless charging pad coupled to the power source, the wireless charging pad configured to;

determine that an Information Handling System (IHS) is placed in a position on the surface of the wireless charging pad such that the IHS cannot receive power from the wireless charging pad above a minimum threshold value;

receive a request to provide fringe power to IHS without repositioning the IHS on the wireless charging pad, wherein the fringe power is smaller than the minimum threshold power level; and

provide the fringe power to the IHS in response to the request.

12. The wireless power adaptor of claim 11, wherein determining that the IHS cannot receive power above a minimum threshold value includes identifying a first amount of power output by the wireless charging pad, identifying a second amount of power received by the IHS, and determining that a ratio between the second and first amounts of power is under a minimum value.

13. The wireless power adaptor of claim 11, wherein providing the fringe power to the IHS includes requesting that the wireless charging pad provide its maximum amount of available power to the IHS.

14. The wireless power adaptor of claim 11, wherein the IHS is configured to use the fringe power to (a) light up a discrete visual indicator on the IHS or to (b) make a sound that identifies a type of the problem or error to the user.

15. The wireless power adaptor of claim 14, wherein the problem or error includes a display error, a processor error, or a battery error.

16. The wireless power adaptor of claim 11, the wireless charging pad configured to:

provide an indication that the IHS be repositioned on the wireless charging pad while providing the fringe power;

determine that the IHS has been repositioned on the surface of the wireless charging pad; and

negotiate, with the IHS, another amount of power to be provided to the IHS that is above the minimum threshold value.

17. A method comprising:

in response to a determination that an Information Handling System (IHS) is placed on a wireless charging pad in a position such that the wireless charging pad cannot provide power to the IHS above a minimum threshold value, allowing the wireless charging pad provide fringe power to IHS without repositioning the IHS on the wireless charging pad, wherein the fringe power is smaller than the minimum threshold power level; and

using the fringe power, by the IHS, to indicate a problem or error to a user without using a monitor, wherein the IHS includes a battery that does not have sufficient energy stored therein to enable the IHS to indicate the problem or error to the user via the monitor.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining that the IHS cannot receive power above a minimum threshold value by identifying a first amount of power output by the wireless charging pad, identifying a second amount of power received by the IHS, and determining that a ratio between the second and first amounts of power is under a minimum value, wherein providing the fringe power to the IHS includes providing, by the wireless charging pad, the maximum amount of power that can be provided by the wireless charging pad.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein using the fringe power includes:

(a) lighting up a discrete visual indicator on the IHS or (b) making a sound that identifies a type of the problem or error to the user.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the type of problem or error includes a battery error.